Tag: carrots

Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability.

Sam Keen

Now that summer is in full swing, most of us have an opportunity to enjoy picnics, BBQs, and al fresco dinners. These days it can be as simple or as fancy as you like, but the real focus of any event are the people we will share with. For that reason, ease is important to me. Less time in the kitchen means more time with friends and family. One of our family favorites for the grill is Hawaiian BBQ Chicken. This dish has an easy prep with a very delicious outcome. Pair it with grilled veggies, Hawaiian Macaroni Salad, and fresh fruit, and you will have a beautiful table.

Grill chicken, covered, over medium heat for 6-8 minutes on each side or until no longer pink.

Alternative method of cooking: bake in a 375-degree oven until done. Time will depend on the thickness of your chicken pieces.

Grilled Veggies

One or a combination of vegetables, washed and sliced into uniform pieces. I especially carrots as do most of the grandkids. I also use zucchini, yellow squash, asparagus. You can use most any summertime produce. Peppers, onions mushrooms and tomatoes are also good choices.

Notice I don’t really give amounts. I just fill up my grill pan or basket with veggies (Vegetables shrink as they are cooked. You’ll want to make more than you think you need.), drizzle with enough oil to lightly coat, sprinkle on the seasonings and give it a stir. (I apologize in advance to those who want amounts and times.)

Place pan/basket on grill and cook until desired doneness. This can also be done in an oven set to 375 degrees. I actually like the oven method best and it can be done ahead of time if you like.

Tip: Some veggies cook faster than others. Asparagus is very quick. Maybe just five to ten minutes. Squash, perhaps twenty minutes and carrots-thirty. Try to choose ones that have a compatible cooking time.

And just one more thing—Leftover roasted vegetables are great additions to pasta salads, sandwiches, pizzas, or even omelets.

Hawaiian Macaroni Salad

Before I give you the recipe, I must give you a disclaimer. I have never been to Hawaii. Nope. But I have eaten at a few Hawaiian BBQ places. Most serve a scoop of steamed white rice and a scoop of macaroni salad. I have made up my own version which I have tweaked even further to lighten it up a bit. Even with the tweaking, it is going to be heavy on the calories. There are just some things that you have to splurge on a bit. The rest of the meal is light so we can afford to.

Optional mix-ins—imitation crab, frozen peas, pineapple tidbits, or ham. Some people add cilantro. It really depends on your preference. We have always used the imitation crab and peas, but I’m up for trying something new in the future. Maybe, even a little Spam. It is Hawaiian after all.

In large bowl, mix together cooked macaroni, shredded carrot and chopper scallion plus any mix-ins you desire.

In separate bowl whisk together the remaining ingredients to create the dressing.

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Fourth of July is upon us. Friends, family and FEASTING! Bring on the potluck!

Have you ever wondered where the term potluck came from? It seems a strange name a meal where people gather and food is shared. The orginal term, a pot of luck, was used to descibe what would be served to an unexpected or an uninvited guest. You got what you got.

I am so glad that down through the ages, the word has taken on a new meaning. Now it has become a way of offering hospitality away from home. No longer a ‘you get what you’ get meal. Extraordinary recipes are carried in covered dishes to gatherings. There may even be a bit of friendly completion going on amongst the cooks. Yumminess abounds. I think LUCK does come to mind when sampling the best my friends’ kitchens have to offer.

As I considered what I might bring to the TWO potlucks I have been invited to (lucky me), I was reminded of a Marinated Carrot Salad that was at every gathering when I was a kid. So, I stirred some up this week to see if it was as good as I remember. It was and it will be coming to the gatherings with me. I can’t wait to see what else shows up. Between my friends and I, a delectable feast is sure to happen.

“We all eat, and it would be a sad waste of opportunity to eat badly.”

Anna Thomas

There are many recipes out there for this salad. I go for a very easy combination that has a great taste.

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Hospitality is key in making the world a better place. Let’s face it. Who doesn’t love a gathering that includes good food shared with family and friends. Memories are created and friendships increased when we come together. So, drop on in and stay awhile. Wait 'til you see what's cookin'. ~Patty Schell

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